Project description
Expanding methylation tools for medicine
Methylation is a fundamental biochemical process that adds a methyl group to various biomolecules, including DNA and proteins. Methylation regulates gene expression and has broad implications for cellular function. Abnormal methylation of DNA, RNA or histones can cause developmental defects and has been linked to various diseases. The ERC-funded CoMBi project focuses on methyltransferase enzymes, which carry out the biological methylation reactions and can be engineered to transfer enlarged chemical groups from synthetic donor analogs. The aim is to overcome existing limitations associated with the availability of these enlarged group donors which serve as tools for functional modification of biomolecules. Researchers plan to optimise protocols for industrial production of these valuable reagents ensuring their broad accessibility for research and clinical applications.
Objective
Enzymatic addition of a methyl group (methylation) is the most prevalent natural modification in cells, serving a myriad of regulatory and structural functions. Abnormal methylation of DNA, RNA or histone proteins can lead to severe developmental defects and is associated with numerous human diseases. Selective methylation of biomolecular targets is carried out by dedicated methyltransferase enzymes, which use the cofactor S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) as the source of methyl groups. Despite the high specificity and impressive diversity of MTases, the deposited methyl groups are poor reporters and hardly amenable to further derivatization. To unlock the biotechnological power of MTases, strategies for repurposing these enzymes into targeting vehicles for the transfer of useful extended groups from synthetic AdoMet analogs have been devised. However, despite substantial advances over the past decade, a widespread adoption of this enabling technology in scientific labs and clinical settings was grossly hindered by the poor availability of such synthetic cofactors. This proposal, footed on findings of our ERC-funded work, will seek to overcome the limitations of chemical synthesis and adapt our recently developed chemo-enzymatic protocols for low-cost industrial production of functionally competent AdoMet analogs. We will also seek the transfer of the technology to an industrial partner for its commercial exploitation and to ensure broad access of these valuable reagents to the scientific community and commercial stakeholders.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2024-POC
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
01513 Vilnius
Lithuania
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